EFFECTS OF Azadirachta indica, Parkia biglobosa AND SYNTHETIC INSECTICIDES ON Sesamia calamistis (HAMPSON) ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE (Zea Mays L.) IN MAKURDI

Zea mays, plays a crucial role in the dietary habits of numerous individuals residing in Nigeria. Several factors, including the presence of Sesamia calmistis and the effects of synthetic insecticides on beneficial insects and hazards to humans, contribute to the limitation of maize output. The study evaluated the effect of Azadirachta indica and Parkia biglobosa extracts on the control of S. calamistis and this experiment was carried out in two planting seasons of 2021 and 2022. The experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi. Three treatments; A. indica, P. biglobosa, Karate 5 EC (Lambda cyhalothrin 5 EC) and control were used. From the study, A. indica extract had a significant effect at p<0.05 on the insect population resulting in a significant increase in the yield parameters which includes the number 100 seed weight of the plant, yield in both 2021 and 2022 planting season with the mean value of 5298.21 and 5428.98 kg/ha respectively. The use of A. indica extract was observed to be effective in the control of insect population and leading to maximum productivity of maize low infestation by observing the maize plant with borers tunnels to be lower in A. indica extracts and Karate 5 EC plots with the mean value of 3.00 and 3.00 in 2021 planting season respectively at p<0.05. The percentage of dead hearts at 60 days after treatment in 2021 and 2022 cropping seasons was significant at p<0.05%, with the control plot having the highest...